Disney's Iger Wants Gun Control Discussion

10/5/2017 7:26 AM ET

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger has spoken about the need for gun control, two days after 59 people including one Disney employee, were killed in the mass shooting in Las Vegas. As per reports, more than 500 people were wounded in the massacre, including two Disney employees.

Iger, who is finally planning to step down in 2019, used his platform at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit on Tuesday to call for productive action to stop gun violence. He also urged empathy for National Football League players who refused to stand for the national anthem.

During his talk on October 3, Iger asked, "In this day and age we get outraged when an athlete doesn't stand for the national anthem - where is the outrage here?.. .... We should be demanding a dialogue about this from our politicians."

He urged people to demand some productive action that is aimed at stopping these things from happening.

"I was also struck with the immediate criticism by people who quickly said that anyone who wanted to talk about gun control in the immediate wake of this was disrespectful, that this was a time of mourning, not a time to talk politics," Iger added.

Over 70 Disney staffers were said to be there at the spot of mass shooting and witnessed the attack.

"These are incidents that touch everybody.... This is a huge crisis for our country," Iger said.

While talking about recent protests by NFL players during the national anthem, Iger said, "A little empathy goes a long way,' while acknowledged that he would prefer people stand during the anthem.

As per reports, Iger might consider a political career following his departure form the company.